Reduce Outdoor Noise with a Sound Blocking Fence

As it gets warmer and people emerge from their winter hibernation into the summer sun, noise always becomes an issue. This is especially true when it comes to backyard noise in residential neighborhoods. To solve this problem, you can reduce outdoor noise with a sound blocking fence.

The source of the noise can be cookouts, pool pumps, air conditioning units, young children, or number of other things.

Regardless of whether you’re the one making the noise or the one trying to enjoy some quiet time one yard over, we recommend a sound blocking fence. Also referred to as a soundproof fence, these sound barriers absorb noise and can also block it from transferring between properties.

Specifically, our most commonly used acoustical solution, and the most affordable product for residential sound blocking fences is our AudioSeal™ Exterior-Grade Acoustical Blankets. Sold by the individual blanket or roll in standard sizes, these products make retrofits to existing structures easy and cost-effective.

Please be sure to verify your structure will comply with local building codes, ordinances, or homeowners’ association.

Case Studies:

This particular person lived near Philadelphia and installed central air conditioning. Their neighbors complained to the city about the noise levels (notice how close the houses are). She was told she couldn’t use her AC until she got the noise levels below the city ordinance. After discussions she decided to install a stockade fence and line it with AQFA-10 EXT sound absorbing blankets. She expedited the order since it was the week before Memorial Day. After installation of the AQFA-10 EXT material, the AC noise was well under the city ordinance noise limits. She stayed cool and comfortable all summer long!

The next story involves a bank next to a church. The bank installed a new AC system and it was too loud for the church. They weren’t required by law to do anything about the noise, but the business wanted to be a good neighbor. They installed ABBC-13 EXT blankets in the 2″ thick version (this model comes in 1″ or 2″ thicknesses, with an option for 2lb psf instead of 1lb for the 2″) on the side of the bank building and reduced the noise level to an acceptable level for the church. Even though these panels aren’t supported by a fence, the acoustical treatment is just as effective. During the summer the church was able to open the windows without hearing a constant hum from the bank’s AC unit.

Both of these stories happen to be specifically

about outdoor HVAC noise blocking, but this solution would work for any kind of outdoor noise. If the barrier will block the line of sight between you and noise source, it will block the sound as well.

AQFA-10 Exterior Absorber Blanket

The model AQFA-10 EXT Exterior Absorber Sound Blanket is purely sound absorbing and consists of an exterior grade vinyl coated polyester on both sides of 2″ quilted fiberglass. These sound blankets are constructed with all edges bound and grommets across the top for easy hanging.

Features:

STC: 19 Rating, NRC: 0.85

Standard Width 48″

Roll Length 25’

ABBC-13EXT Exterior Barrier Blanket

The Audioseal Exterior Sound Blanket ABBC-13Ext blanket is both sound absorbing and blocking, which makes it something we call a “combination blanket”. It consists of a vinyl-coated-polyester-cloth facing encapsulating a 1″ quilted fiberglass that is bonded to a reinforced 1-lb per square foot mass loaded vinyl barrier. These sound attenuation blankets are constructed with environmentally sustainable fiberglass filling with grommets across the top and Velcro® along the vertical edges of the blankets.

I need help with a lot of noise coming into my back yard from the apartments in back, but I’m a senior living on a fixed income I just spent much money putting up a new fence and now they have screwed a tarp to it and made a skateboard ramp for the kids and I get much noise from loud music. do you think anything you have might help, the city is no help at all.

Hi Brenda, I’m sorry to hear about all the noise around your home. If the fence you put up blocks your line of site to the noise source (children, skateboard ramp, music speakers) then attaching sound blocking materials like our combination blankets will help cut the amount of sound that is reaching you. Other products to consider are our door seal kits and acoustical window seals. They will soundproof the weak spots in your home that are likely letting a majority of the noise in.

I have linked these products below, but please feel free to give us a call and speak to one of our architectural reps. They would love to talk you through your noise issue and offer any possible solutions: 800.782.5742

Hi Sandra, our combination sound absorbing/blocking blankets would make the fence a better sound barrier. The pricing is listed on the Audioseal Exterior Sound Blanket, but if you have any other questions please feel free to give us a call at 800 782 5742. Thank you!

My neighbor has a 6-foot vinyl fence along once side of her yard, but there are some gaps — the fence is about 7 years old and has settled. She positioned her pool pump toward the area of the fence that points to our yard. ;) So, we can see it through the fence gaps and it is audible, even from a window inside our house!! Makes laying in the hammock on a nice afternoon impossible. We know she will NOT allow us to attached an acoustical blanket to her fence — what are our options? Is there anything we can put up that is free-standing? Has its own frame? Thank you!!

Hi Maureen, The best thing to do would be to enclose the pump, but if your neighbor isn’t willing to let you do this or adjust the fence in any way, then you have to put up your own barrier to keep the sound from entering your yard. Please give us a call so we can talk to you more about your issue! 800 782 5742

after seven years my neighbors have banded together and are complaining about my rooftop chilling units. it’s the fans that are making the noise? I’d like information on the blankets and the installation of them.

Hi Matthew, Our sound blocking blankets would help block this noise for you, but the success of your sound fence is all about placement. The barrier you create would have to be directly between the sound source and your location within your home, which is sometimes difficult if you are uphill from the roadway. If you can see the road from where you live, you will hear the road noise. Please feel free to call in and speak with one of our architectural reps anytime. They would be happy to walk you through your options: 800 782 5742

Florida Noisy pool equipment, we have good relations with our neighbor; however their pool pump makes sitting on the lanai uncomfortable. I have found one sound blanket from premier innovations that goes directly over the pump, and not the motor. Looks promising; however the price may be close to $300 dollars. Is their another option. Neighbor will probably not want a fence with materials. Sta-Rite Pool equipment.

Hello, What would you recommend to block off traffic noise. I am looking at buying a house located close to a busy road. The house is on a raised plot of land maybe 100 feet away from the road and about 30 feet above road level. Is there an affordable way to make a wall that would look good on both sides that would allow to block most of the sound? The wall would be quite long covering one side of the acre property. Thank you

Hi Julien, our combination blankets pictured would help block the noise. We also have a few other wall systems that one of our reps would be happy to discuss with you. The issue you will run into, however, is that your home is 30 feet above road level. If the sound barrier you install is not tall enough to block your view of the road, it will not block the path of the sound, either. Please give us a call to discuss your options: 800 782 5742

Hi We just built a new home here in brentwood Ca. we just got done with the back yard we had to move the a/c about 6 ft. as we built a large bar in the backyard. it now is around the corner where the neighbor’s bedroom is and it is keeping them up and driving them crazy. this is unacceptable as we love out neighbors and need to fix this problem ASAP. what do we do? and yes we have q standard fence that Separates the two homes but the unit is maybe ten feet from their window. thanks in advance. hope you have something that will work. Patrick